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Wayanad Township Set for Completion by December 2025: Minister

AI-generated Representative Image KOZHIKODE: Revenue Minister K Rajan announced that the housing project for the victims of the Mundakkai-Chooralmala disaster at Elstone Estate will be completed by December 2025. The development will accommodate over 1,662 individuals in 410 houses, with 140 residents each receiving a seven-cent plot. Rajan revealed that the government has allocated ₹108 crore for rehabilitation efforts and called for increased machinery use to remove debris from Punnapuzha. The minister disclosed that ₹3.6 crore has been earmarked for Kudumbashree’s micro plan, and ₹43.7 crore has been spent on acquiring land at Elstone Estate. Furthermore, a total of ₹13.3…

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Pune Residents Alarmed by Neglected Dilapidated Buildings in Camp

AI-generated Representative Image PUNE: Residents of the Camp are voicing serious concerns about the deteriorating conditions of local structures, holding the Pune Cantonment Board accountable for failing to take necessary repair actions. For years, these buildings have remained in a precarious state. Some residents are urging immediate repairs to prevent potential disasters, while activists and long-time inhabitants of Camp criticize the inaction by cantonment authorities. James Paul, former President of the Pune Cantonment Tenants’ Association, commented, “Every monsoon, the board puts out notices for property owners and publishes advisories for precautions. This is a lazy approach. We have repeatedly asked…

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No separate body for merged areas, says Maharashtra minister

PUNE: On Thursday, State Industries Minister Uday Samant stated that there is “no immediate plan” to establish a separate municipal corporation for newly merged areas, as the state government is allocating funds for their development. Samant emphasized that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is providing sufficient funds for the development of these regions. The drafting of a development plan for the 23 merged areas is currently in progress, with approximately Rs 250 crore assigned for water supply projects and Rs 130 crore allocated for drainage works. PMC has also committed Rs 160 crore towards road development. “The government is dedicated…

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Pune Cuts Water Connections to Dilapidated Wadas

PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has begun severing water connections to dilapidated wadas in the peth areas, where occupants are refusing to vacate despite multiple warnings about the unsafe conditions. The PMC has pinpointed 37 such properties for action and has requested police assistance to enforce mandatory evacuations. According to a senior PMC official, notifications have also been sent to Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd (MSEDCL) regarding the electricity connections to these wadas. Data from officials indicate that the PMC and the fire department register about 40-45 cases annually of wadas suffering damage or collapsing, particularly during the…

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Nashik to Establish Urban Design Cell for Better City Planning

Nashik’s New Urban Design Initiative NASHIK: In an effort to enhance the city’s infrastructure and environment, the municipal corporation has announced the establishment of a new urban design cell. This initiative aims to uphold Nashik’s aesthetic values while improving urban planning and design. The cell will focus on various urban development aspects, including mapping infrastructure, promoting walkability, and creating plans for better urban spaces. Climate action will be a key component of this initiative. The urban design cell will be led by Municipal Commissioner Manisha Khatri and will include notable members such as: The Deputy Director of Town Planning City…

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Andhra Pradesh Issues Guidelines for Land Pooling Scheme II

AI-generated Representative Image VIJAYAWADA: In a bold initiative, the state government is set to acquire an additional 40,000 to 45,000 acres for the construction of the capital city by introducing the guidelines for Land Pooling Scheme-II (LPS). Prior consultations have been held in Tadikonda and Pedakurapadu constituencies to facilitate the implementation of LPS-II, laying the foundation for an official launch. The government is also exploring options for acquiring further land to establish an international airport, a sports city, and smart industrial zones. Despite concerns from farmers who previously ceded their land in the first phase of LPS around a decade…

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Ghaziabad Authority Begins Land Acquisition for Harnandipuram

AI-generated Representative Image GHAZIABAD: The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) has commenced land acquisition for the Harnandipuram project, distributing over Rs 5 crore in compensation to approximately 25 farmers so far. According to GDA Vice Chairperson Atul Vats, “Land acquisition can be challenging. For the Harnandipuram township project, we need to acquire 336 hectares from five villages. The process is underway, with a sale deed worth Rs 43 lakh recently executed for 759 sqm of land in Nangla Feroze Mohan Nagar, marking the first transaction for the township.” In the last month, more than 25 farmers have finalized sale deeds totaling…

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85 of 730 Illegal Structures Cleared in Faridabad’s Aravalis

GURUGRAM: In Faridabad, of the 730 forest areas protected under Section 4 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), about 85 have been cleared of encroachments. “Demolition drives began on June 11, targeting 85 locations identified during the survey,” stated a senior forest official. The PLPA prohibits construction, encroachment, and tree felling in these forest areas. “We are now focusing on larger structures like farmhouses. We’ve encountered resistance at certain sites, leading to two FIRs against individuals for damaging machinery and causing injuries,” he added. The Supreme Court, in its July 2022 ruling, mandated that all Aravali land protected under…

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Probe Opens into Illegal Construction in Raisina Hills

GURUGRAM: An investigation has been launched into illegal construction activities in the Raisina Hills of Sohna Aravalis, following significant land clearing, tree felling, and unauthorized constructions in the area. Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Chandar Bidhan initiated the inquiry amidst rising public concern regarding the illegal activities occurring on land protected by the 1992 Aravali notification. In a statement to TOI, he mentioned that the investigation aims to identify those responsible for the encroachments and evaluate the extent of environmental breaches. Complaints from local residents indicated the use of earthmovers to level extensive areas, heightening worries about permanent damage to the fragile…

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Ghaziabad Societies Without Rainwater Harvesting May Face Fines

GHAZIABAD: The GDA has begun actions against residential societies that lack rainwater harvesting systems. Inspections of over 650 societies revealed that numerous buildings either did not have these systems or had installations that were non-functioning. According to building bylaws, plots or group housing societies larger than 300 sqm must have rainwater harvesting systems; failing to comply could result in fines of up to Rs 3 lakh. “Our enforcement team has been tasked with inspecting each zone, after which notices will be issued to those not in compliance,” stated a GDA official. Many societies reportedly also fail to maintain their systems…